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Mortgage Insurance

Finding Montana Mortgage Insurance

When financing Montana homes, The advantages of mortgage insurance are not always immediately evident to a borrower. Many prospective borrowers believe they need to provide at least a 20% down payment to avoid paying for Montana mortgage insurance. However, there are many situations in which borrowers can benefit by using mortgage insurance.

The following illustrates several of these:

Mortgage insurance increases the price of the Montana house, condo, town home, etc. that a borrower can afford. For example, a borrower with a $20,000 down payment can buy a $100,000 dwelling without mortgage insurance. But by using mortgage insurance, the borrower may be able to buy a much larger Montana real estate property.

Mortgage insurance can help home buyers consolidate debt and save on income taxes. Even if borrowers can come up with a 20% down payment, it may be more beneficial for them to put less down and apply the balance of their available funds to other debts or opportunities (see example below).

Even if borrowers don’t have a lot of debt to pay off, they may have alternative opportunities for investing their money. Let’s look at the situation of another couple, Andy and Jan Green. The Greens also have a combined income of $50,000 per year ($4,167 per month), and have planned to make a 20% down payment on a $125,000 home. However, the Greens are debt-free. Their loan officer explains that the return on the equity they use to make a down payment is much higher with a smaller down payment, as show below. This illustration assumes the home appreciate at 15% per year.

The home appreciates the same amount regardless of the down payment amount. And, the Greens can invest the balance of the down payment to increase their wealth. Investing $12,500 in a mutual fund that returns 8% will earn $1,000 in the first year. In an emergency, the money is also much easier to access in a mutual fund than it would be if it was tied up in the home’s equity. In addition, the higher loan amount may increase their mortgage income tax deduction!

MORTGAGE INSURANCE example.

Charles and Angela Brown have a combined income of $50,000 per year ($4,167 per month).
They’ve picked out a beautiful home and negotiated a purchase price of $125,000. The Browns
have saved $25,000 for use as a down payment, and they have $12,500 in debt, as detailed below:

Debt

Original Balance

Original Term

Interest Rate

Monthly Payment

Balance Due

Credit Cards

–

–

18%

$200

$4,000

Car Loan

$18,000

5yrs

10%

$382.45

$8,500

Total

$582.45

$12,500

The Browns had planned to use the entire $25,000 to make a 20% down payment. However, their loan officer points out that they should consider using half of that money to pay off their existing debts, and use the balance to make a 10% down payment. Although they’ll need to obtain mortgage insurance, their total monthly payments will be significantly lower.

The Browns are able to save hundreds of dollars a month while consolidating their debts into one payment at a lower interest rate. And, this doesn’t even take into account that financing a higher loan amount may increase their mortgage interest income tax deduction, one of the last tax breaks available. With MI, they may be able to convert non-deductible debt into deductible debt.

Down Payment

Initial Equity

First-Year Appreciation

Return Equity

10%

$12,500

$6,250

50%

20%

$25,000

$6,250

25%

Taunya Fagan Real Estate does not advise on any personal mortgage insurance or home insurance requirements or issues. Use of any information from this site or any other web site referred to is for general information only and does not represent personal insurance advice either express or implied. You are encouraged to seek professional insurance advice for questions and assistance.

Giving you theadvantage

All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed reliable, however, information is not guaranteed by Christies, Managing Broker, Taunya Fagan or other Agents or Sellers. Offering is subject to error, omissions, prior sales, price change or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by Seller. We urge independent verification of each and every item submitted, to the satisfaction of any prospective purchaser. Equal Housing Opportunity.